College Football Free Pick of the Week is Back! Thanks to veteran handicapper/writer Paul Stone for his contribution to The Vegas Parlay.
Tulsa -5 over San Jose State
Fast-paced Tulsa of the American Athletic Conference averaged 37 points and 507 yards per game last season and welcomes back senior quarterback Dane Evans (30 career starts) who needs slightly more than 2,600 yards to become the school’s career’s passing leader. Evans will be throwing to a host of talented receivers, including Josh Atkinson (76 catches for 1,071 yards and five TDs last season) and Keevan Lucas who had 1,661 yards receiving in 2013 and ’14 before having his 2015 season shortened due to injury.
- Tulsa Opens Their 2016 Campaign vs San Jose State
Mountain West Conference entry San Jose State, meanwhile, must adjust to life after Tyler Ervin. The fourth-round NFL Draft selection had 2,637 all-purpose yards in 2015 and was a difference maker in all phases for the Spartans.
San Jose State was also dealt a blow during the summer when it was ruled wide receiver Tyler Winston, who had a total of more than 1,550 yards receiving during his freshman and sophomore seasons, would miss the year due to academic reasons.
Technically, Saturday’s role also works against San Jose State. Over the past two seasons as a single-digit underdog – both home and away – the Spartans are 0-8 against the spread.
I like Tulsa to win this season-opening matchup by a touchdown or more.
Paul Stone has over two decades of experience as a bettor and handicapper. He is a winner of multiple Las Vegas handicapping contests and his work has appeared in various media outlets including the Las Vegas-Review Journal and ESPN Insider. Follow Paul on Twitter @paulstonesports or e-mail him at Paulstonesports@gmail.com.
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